Westport played host to the Wild Mayo Ultra on May 30–31, and true to its name, the event delivered punishing winds, unforgiving terrain, and unforgettable memories. A strong southwesterly wind battered the riders all weekend long, making every kilometre earned and every finish line crossed an extraordinary feat.
Two sectors in particular—the leg from Bangor to Currane and around Achill Island—proved to be the stuff of legend. Riders will speak of those stretches for years to come, where grit and group strength mattered more than anything. Despite the elements, participants embraced the challenge with defiance and camaraderie, knowing that every wheel on the road faced the same brutal headwinds.
🚴 500 km – The Beast of the West
The longest distance of the weekend drew a select group of elite ultra-endurance riders. Finishing it is an achievement. Winning it? Heroic.
🏆 Top Finishers
- 1st Supported: Colm Richardson (Errigal CC) – 19:50
- 1st Unsupported: Ken Van Someren (Yeats Country CC) – 22:28
- 2nd Unsupported: Edoardo Dal Bosco (Italy) – 25:18
🚴 300 km – Power and Pace
The 300 km event brought out serious competitors. Fast-moving and fiercely contested, the route tested pacing and stamina across some of Mayo’s harshest hills and coastline.
🏆 Top Solo Finishers
- 1st: Barry O’Driscoll (Bear Cycling, Dublin) – 10:20
- 2nd: Ken Egan (Tuam CC) – 11:30
- 3rd: Mark Cassidy (Errigal CC) – 12:07
👫 Top Pair
- 1st: Emma Walsh & Beanie Byrne (Dungarvan CC) – 13:30
🚴 200 km – The People’s Race
The most popular distance, the 200 km category, saw huge participation, especially in the team/group section, where up to six riders combined to take on the Mayo elements. This was where strategy, support, and spirit came together.
🥇 Top Solo Finishers
- 1st: Rory Devlin (Donegal) – 06:22:04
- 2nd: Jerry McCarthy (Tralee Manor West BC) – 06:28:58
- 3rd: Nigel Davenport (Inishowen CC) – 06:34:49
👑 Top Female Rider
- 1st Female: Sinéad Parsons (Islandeady CC) – 08:14
🛠️ Team/Group Category
- 1st: Over The Hill CC, Cork (Brendan McMahon, Oliver O’Neill, Declan Brady, Mike Condon) – 09:24:36
🏁 Event Hub & Sponsors
The Clew Bay Hotel served as event HQ, providing a warm welcome and solid support base for weary legs. Massive thanks to Westport Bike Shop and Marrey Bikes, the event’s generous sponsors who provided prizes for the podium finishers.
💬 Looking Ahead to 2026 – A New Chapter of the Wild Mayo Ultra
In 2026, we’re taking you deeper into the heart of Mayo—further, wilder, and more unforgettable than ever before.
Get ready for new routes, fresh challenges, and more of the raw beauty that makes the Wild Mayo Ultra legendary. We’re planning a reimagined course that reveals even more of Mayo’s iconic treasures—coastal cliffs, ancient roads, remote passes, and postcard-worthy villages.
But that’s not all…
🔄 NEW: The Lap of Mayo – 400 KM
We’re mapping out a brand-new 400 km ‘Lap of Mayo’, a single-day ultra-distance loop that will take riders through the county’s most breath-taking terrain. Designed for completion in 16–20 hours, this route will challenge your endurance, focus, and spirit—no matter your level.
Whether you’ve raced with us before or are considering your first ultra, 2026 is your year to experience what an Ultra truly is.
From the scenic hell of Achill to the windswept drama of Bangor, the Wild Mayo Ultra has earned its place among Ireland’s most grueling and rewarding endurance events. Riders leave with legs full of lactic, hearts full of pride, and stories they’ll tell for years.
🚴♀️ Elite. Amateur. Crew.
Whatever your level, 2026 is your year.
More wind. More hills. More unforgettable miles.
Will you go the distance? you wont know till you sign up! watch this space….
